Two new monthly jive nights
CLUB BOOST FOR
SE LONDON
Cat's Meow South East London has two new monthly jive nights.

The Cat's Meow is the latest venture from swing dance duo Robert & Claire Austin.   It launches on Saturday 3rd April in Southwark, promising sensational swing, jumpin' jive, rockin' rhythms, boogie and blues with live entertainment and cabaret.

Venue is Guys Bar, Bolam House (downstairs), St Thomas Street SE1 9RT.   There'll be ice breaker classes in lindy, Charleston and shag at 8.15pm followed by non-stop music.   Admission is £8 in advance or £10 on the door.   More info at www.londonswingcats.com

From February 26th Diamond Jive starts a free record hop on the last Friday of the month at the Queens Head, 144 Stockwell Road, Brixton SW9 9TQ.   It's in addition to dances on the second Friday of the month at the Railway Tavern in Tulse Hill, which have been running since July 2009.

Among other recent launches in the capital, swing and jive band nights have returned to the Winning Post pub in Whitton.   Peter and Evelyne Phillips, who already run rock'n'roll gigs and record hops at the venue, have revived the old Twickenham Boogie nights on the third Friday of each month.   Full band list here.

New on Monday evenings is the Mahogany Lounge upstairs at the Camden Head, 100 Camden High Street NW1 0LU   Start time is 8pm.   Admission £4.   More info from Paulette on 020 8964 8399.   Capital Elvis has started monthly record hops at The Castle in Golders Green.   Rock'n'Bowl offers monthly dances at the Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes.   And in South East London, Bromley Boogie has Friday night dances at the Bromley United Services Club, 33 London Road, Bromley BR1 1DG.   Start time 8.15pm.   Info on 07747 682727.   Rockinitiz is to mark its tenth anniversary on March 19th with a gig by Jesse & The Orbits and The Caezars at The Bedford in Balham.

Going going gone

The rash of openings has been balanced by the closure of Nosey Joe's in Penge, Holtwhites in Enfield and Virginia Creepers in Tufnell Park (See full story below).

Holtwhites regular Richard Shadforth said: "For some months, we have been struggling with dwindling numbers.   This is a disappointment, but it comes as no surprise. He has been regularly subsidising the event."   DJ Chris 'Crazy Legs' Bullock had been commuting from his home is in Lincolnshire since August 2008 to run the record hop in Enfield - a round trip of 200 miles.

Caron & Steve
Moving out... Caron & Steve
And there's a Lincs connection to the closure of Nosey Joe's, the swing dance club which has run since June 2008 at the Royston Club in Penge.   Organisers Steve & Caron Mason have moved to Alford in Lincolnshire.

Steve told Planet Jive: "There are a number of reasons for our move but a major factor is Caron's health.   Caron had knee replacement surgery in June 2008.   We have both been very pleased with Caron's progress and return to dancing but we have to be realistic too.   We have been advised that knee replacements are expected to last for about 15 years with normal use.   We have also been advised that we are in unknown territory as there are no other lindy hop teachers with a prosthetic knee.

"Caron has been experiencing significant pain and we have had to accept that she can either teach or dance for herself but not both.   In the last year Caron has had a number of injuries including several fractures and we have now discovered that she has osteoporosis again.   She had managed to regain some bone density since an earlier diagnosis some years ago.   I have come to the point where I really hate seeing the pain Caron is enduring in order to teach.   We would like to be able to spend some time dancing together too."

Steve & Caron's weekly dance classes in Salfords, the City of London and Penge will continue with different teachers, and the couple will travel from Lincolnshire to London for their monthly Saturday Night Swing Club at the City Firefly.   The event is jointly organised with the London Swing Dance Society.

Kav Kavanagh's Valley Road R'n'R Club in Erith has scaled back from fortnightly to monthly.   And in Kent, Cuxton R'n'R Club closed on New Year's Eve after ten years.


Farewell Virginia's

London's longest-running rockabilly night has closed after 12 years, as its organiser moves out of town to run an inn.

Marilyn
Boogie woogie country girl... Marilyn
Virginia Creepers held its final night on December 19th, going out in style with a gig by Mike Sanchez at the Boston Arms in Tufnell Park.

"It hurts to go," says Marilyn Coleman.   "We've had a big and loyal following who are a bit devastated to hear we're movin' on.   But we have had enough of life in the big smoke."

She started Virginia's as "a rockin' alternative to those staid, pokey rock'n'roll nights in London".

"It catered for all rockers, posers, and go-goers on the scene in the pre 9/11 days of 1997, from rockabilly to fetish.   We were among the first to do burlesque.   The decor changed every month and we came up with the most bizarre combinations.   Bands included Darrel Higham, Paul Ansell, Jake Vegas, Carlos, etc   We also gave a first chance to bands such as Joe Whitney & The Tropics, The Noisettes, The Rockats, Al & The Black Cats, The Bad Breed and The Cathouse Creepers.   DJs Dave Croisier, Bill Smoker, Mouse, Reb, David TG, Big Beat Kris and El Nino ripped it up for Virginia time and time again."

Hell hole

In 2000 Virginia Creepers found a long term home at the Water Rats Theatre near Kings Cross.   But things turned sour in November 2007 with Marilyn branding the venue a "hell hole", fed up at having to 'timeshare' gig nights with other promoters and their bands.

Since then the club has bounced around several pubs in North London - most recently the Boston Arms, venue for the final gig.   "It will be emotional for me," admits Marilyn.   "But I'm happy to have had such an influence on the scene.   It's very definitely the end of an era."

Shabby chic

Blue Pigeons With her partner Ray she has bought a hotel in Kent.   At the Blue Pigeons in the village of Worth, near Deal they hope to cater to the rockin' crowd... without upsetting the locals.

"We have an acre of garden and a restaurant/function room.   We hear they're already used to custom car events, but yes, we have to be very careful to keep good relations going.   It's an idyllic hamlet.   We will not be overtly rockabilly.   I want the place to look decadent, shabby chic.   The seven rooms will eventually be themed.   There'll be a Johnny Cash room, a pin-up room, plus gothic, deco, 50s and 60s.   There will be a marquee in the garden for weddings etc and a hilbilly weekender at some time in the future.   It's a going concern and well known.   It just needs enthusiasm and TLC.   We are gutting it downstairs and giving it a paint job plus window boxes, decking and glass doors for the restaurant.   We're excited about it all... but also a bit out of our comfort zone!"


If it jumps, jives, bops or strolls we want to know about it.   or call 07833 703189.